One thing you can count on with the Detroit Lions is that they are never, ever boring. Follow the latest news including injuries, roster moves and more here daily from Oakland Press beat writer Paula Pasche. Plus you'll find regular commentary about the team.

1/31/2013

Detroit Lions: Calvin Johnson best wide receiver, per Nate Burleson

Randy Moss came out this week in New Orleans and said he’s the NFL’s best wide receiver ever. The 49ers wide receiver stood by his words again the next day.

Another guy named Jerry Rice might have something to say about that.

In the end, maybe it’s neither.

Tweeted a question to Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson, who played with Moss at Minnesota, to get his take.

No surprise. His answer (via Twitter): ‘Ummmmm... @bigplayCJ And that’s my final answer!!!’

As you might guess, Big Play CJ is Calvin Johnson, Burleson’s teammate for the past three years.

Detroit Lions have won more NFL championships than Patriots, just doesn't seem like it

Over the years Lions fans have learned to adapt to life during Super Bowl week — you know reading about the other teams preparing to play for the ultimate prize. Ran across interesting numbers this week involving teams with the most NFL championships. Here’s the list: Packers (13); Bears (9); Giants (8); Steelers (6); 49ers, Cowboys and Redskins (5) and Lions, Browns and Colts (4).Does that make you feel better?Of course, the last Lions’ championship was in 1957 when they smoked the Cleveland Browns 59-14. The others were in 1935 (they beat the Giants 26-7), 1952 (beat Browns 17-7) and 1953 (beat Browns again 17-16).In that 1953 championship Browns quarterback Otto Graham had nightmare of a game finishing 2-15 for 4 yards. Describe nightmare? His fumble in first quarter set up a Lions touchdown and an interception set up a field goal.I’m thinking the Lions must have had quite a defense in those years. In that game they also had quarterback Bobby Layne.Ah, the good old days.Many Lions’ fans have the same dream — to see the Lions win a Super Bowl. Certainly it might depend on their longevity.Will it happen? In today’s NFL, turn-arounds can happen quickly which means the dream never dies.If it’s any satisfaction, the Lions have more NFL championships than the Patriots who have three.Feel better now?(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her new book which details the four championship games, “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

Detroit Lions hire Brian Xanders, former Denver Broncos GM

The Detroit Lions have hired Brian Xanders, who has served as the Denver Broncos general manager for three seasons (2009-2011).

Xanders, who has 18-plus years of NFL experience in Denver and Atlanta, will come to Detroit as the senior personnel executive.

A statement was released by the team from Mayhew: “Brian’s addition, given his diverse background, positively impacts all aspects of our team's football operations. He brings experience as a general manager and has worked in both pro and college scouting. In addition to his personnel background, he has experience in contract negotiations and expertise in the development and use of technological resources in player personnel.

“Brian will effectively improve on the structure we have in place and will add another set of eyes to the evaluation process.”

In 2009 Xanders was the youngest NFL general manager at the age of 37.

While he was with the Broncos, Denver claimed the 2011 NFC West Division title. From 2009-11, the Broncos acquired 25 players through the draft and free agency that ended the 2011 season on the active or reserve roster.

Xanders left the Broncos with a year left on his contract a year after John Elway took charge. It happened after the 2012 draft and was a mutual decision according to reports.

Like Mayhew, Xanders played at Florida State, but their paths didn’t cross.

It happened during a taping of “Splash” ABC’s new reality celebrity diving show, according to TMZ. Suh and Anderson are both contestants.

Anderson was practicing his diving for the show and got so exhausted he couldn’t get himself up the ladder. He kept falling backward into the water, according to the report.

Suh, the Detroit Lions defensive tackle, and divemaster Greg Louganis (former Olympian) had to lift him to poolside where he choked up some pool water, but was fine and plans to continue on with the show.

Other contestants include Miss Alabama Katherine Webb (girlfriend of Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (apparently desperate for any kind of publicity).

This is just such an odd premise, I might have to peak at it out of curiosity. First episode is set to air in March.

Suh, who played in the Pro Bowl on Sunday night, didn’t have permission of the Lions to participate even though it’s a dangerous sport. Coach Jim Schwartz didn’t seem too upset about it when talking to reporters last week.

Jones is a pass rusher, the Lions need a pass rusher. Kiper sees him playing a role similar to that of Von Miller with the Broncos. Miller, who played at Texas A&M, has 30 sacks in his first two seasons — 18.5 of them in 2012.

Both are the same size — 6-foot-3 and about 240 pounds.

Jones played at Georgia. His spinal stenosis during his freshman season at USC remains a concern.

It’s way too early to know anything for certain. The draft opens three months from today.

But it’s interesting to see that Jarvis Jones seems to fit the Lions needs — at least from the outsiders’ perspectives.

— Jim Schwartz doesn’t seem concerned that Ndamukong Suh will risk injury when he participates in ABC’s new reality show “Celebrity Diving.” I don’t know. Diving isn’t exactly croquet. Not sure how experienced the big guy is in this endeavor. Wonder what his teammates think.

— Central Michigan offensive lineman Eric Fisher (see photo) has seen his stock rise this week during Senior Bowl practice. There’s a chance he could be the first offensive lineman drafted. Will the Lions jump at him? Can’t imagine that they would. Of course, who saw them drafting Riley Reiff in the first round.

— To clear up a little confusion about the Lions draft picks, they have six. They have no fourth-round pick because they sent it to the Vikings during the draft last year so they could select Tahir Whitehead. Yes, wide receiver MIke Thomas cost a fifth-round pick, but it’s in 2014. So at this point they have six picks starting with the fifth overall pick.

— Also, the teams who are done for the season (all but the 49ers and Ravens) have their rosters frozen until the day after the Super Bowl which is Feb. 4 this year. If teams want to make cuts they have to wait until that day to make it official.

— Does anyone think Titus Young will return to the Lions next season? I thought there was a small chance until he tweeted this week that if he doesn’t get the ball more he doesn’t want to play. Haven’t heard that line since sixth grade.

Detroit Lions: Titus Young doesn't want to play if he doesn't get the ball

Titus Demetrious Young just doesn’t get it.

Despite his immature antics in the past season, Jim Schwartz and Martin Mayhew had both said that a window was still open for the wide receiver to be on the 2013 Detroit Lions roster.

That may have changed now.

Young took to Twitter today and in doing so, he may have killed his career.

First he tweeted: ‘Like I said I never been selfish but if I'm not going to get the football i don't want to play anymore.’

Then he added: ‘Never have I ran the wrong route, just put my self where the ball was going.’

Young was sent home following the Nov. 18 loss to the Packers when he lined up in the wrong spots more than once. He made it look like Matthew Stafford was throwing to ghosts.

Young didn’t make it back on the field for the rest of the season. It wasn’t a first-time offense.

Last May he sucker-punched teammate Louis Delmas and also then was sent home for a week.

Wide receiver Nate Burleson nailed the situation after the season when he said that with the Lions, Calvin Johnson is the man — he compared him to Michael Jackson — and the rest of the wide receivers are basically backup singers.

Young can’t seem to get that through his skull.

Too bad for the second-round pick.

If he would grow up and listen to Burleson, maybe he could have resurrected his career. Instead he shot himself in the foot. Obviously he has no grasp of the situation.

Before today, thought he had a slim chance of rejoining the Lions. Now? He must be gone.

The story is complete with a photo of Suh wearing blue plaid shorts walking around a pool with the Hollywood Hills in the background and bikini-clad Katherine Webb on his left.

Looks like Miss Alabama, who is also the girlfriend of Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron, is cashing in on her celebrity status such as it is.

Not sure if this will conflict with Suh’s trip to the Pro Bowl. He made the roster as an alternate. The game is Sunday night in Hawaii.

TMZ reports: “Ndamukong Suh is also a pretty shocking addition to the cast — considering he's in the middle of a huge contract and NFL coaches don't usually love it when a star player risks his health by jumping off a high dive.

“Then again, Suh has an image problem — people think he's a jerk — and he could use the show to convince fans that he's not really the monster he appears to be on the field.’’

Again, those were TMZ’s words.

Is there a belly-flopping clause in his contract? He’ll make $11.15 million in 2013.

Detroit Lions sign Devin Thomas, former Michigan State wide receiver

Veteran wide receiver Devin Thomas, who retired in August, is back and has signed a reserve/futures contract with the Detroit Lions.

Thomas played at Michigan State and was drafted in the second round of the 2008 draft by the Washington Redskins. After spending three seasons with the Redskins, he played for the Carolina Panthers (2010) and the New York Giants (2010-11).

He won a Super Bowl ring with the Giants team a year ago and played a key role in the NFL Championship game when he recovered two fumbles, one in overtime that set up the winning score to take the Giants to the Super Bowl.

He signed with the Chicago Bears as a free agent in May 2012 and announced his retirement on Aug. 5, 2012.

Thomas, who played at Canton High School, will fight for a spot on the roster as a wide receiver or special teams player.

ESPN's Mel Kiper mock draft: Detroit Lions take Jarvis Jones

The ESPN draft analyst released his first mock draft on Wednesday. He has the Detroit Lions picking outside linebacker Jarvis Jones out of Georgia with the fifth overall pick.

Even though it’s early — the draft starts April 25 — it seems that cornerback Dee Milliner out of Alabama might be a better pick for Detroit, but Kiper has him going at fourth to the Eagles.

“At linebacker you could use Jones like a Von Miller has been used in Denver. It doesn’t have to be the 3-4 outside linebacker spot, that was kind of a misnomer. ... You see what Von Miller means for that defense in Denver,’’ Kiper said in a conference call on Wednesday.

“For me Jarvis Jones if he’s there at five, the only thing that would prevent him from going a little higher we’ll see how the medical checks out with the neck injury he got at USC,’’ KIper said. “I’ve had him No. 1 on the (big) board all year. If he’s there at five, I think he makes sense at that Von Miller type 4-3 OLB.’’

Jones played at USC as a freshman and suffered a neck injury that was diagnosed as spinal stenosis and the USC doctors would not clear him to play so he transferred to Georgia where he was cleared by doctors and played two seasons.

In his analysis on ESPN.com, Kiper writes about Jones: “He may not be a perfect fit in a 4-3 on the edge, but Jones is an exceptional pass-rusher, can line up on either side of Detroit's young and talented interior linemen and will flat-out make plays. He led the nation in sacks even as every team brought help to block him, and Jones not only uses great leverage to hold up as a run defender, but is vastly underrated in his ability to drop and cover. He brings a workmanlike effort and will sack quarterbacks, and skip the dance as he helps them up. A mature player and a good fit on any team, and within any system.’’

Jones had 12.5 sacks in the 2012 season and two more in the Capital One Bowl.

In his two seasons at Georgia, he had 28 sacks, 155 total tackles, 44 tackles for loss, nine forced fumbles, and one interception.

Detroit Lions long snapper Don Mulbach named to Pro Bowl roster

He was named to the NFC team on Tuesday by Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy who will coach the NFC squad.

Muhlbach was signed by the Lions in November 2004 and has been on the roster ever since. He is an unrestricted free agent.

“Don is a huge part of my success and a significant part of our kicking game,” kicker Jason Hanson said in a statement released by the Lions. “He is as accurate and consistent as there is in the League. With the field goal process, it all starts with him. He works hard and takes great pride in what he does. This is a great honor for him and is well deserved.”

Muhlbach was instrumental when Hanson broke the team’s all-time single-season scoring record in 2012. He snapped for 32 field goals and 38 PATs.

Muhlbach proved valuable when Hanson connected on 18 40-plus yard field goals, the second-highest single-season total in NFL history.

He is the first-ever Lions specialist who did not kick, punt or return to play special teams in the Pro Bowl.

Earlier on Tuesday, Calvin Johnson announced he wouldn’t play in the Pro Bowl. He dealt with a knee injury throughout the season.

Detroit Lions Calvin Johnson will sit out Pro Bowl

It is no surprise the Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson won’t play in the Pro Bowl. The decision was announced Tuesday.

Johnson struggled with a knee injury all season. Days after the season ended GM Martin Mayhew said the team was monitoring the situation, but expected that rest would be the best medicine for Johnson’s knee.

Mayhew and others have suggested Johnson was dealing with more severe injuries than he ever let on throughout the season. Johnson routinely missed practices, resting his body for Sundays.

Last year it was the same situation. He was voted to the Pro Bowl, but did not play due to injuries. He still went to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl festivities and picked up the tab for the rest of his wide receiver teammates to join him.

After the Detroit Lions 4-12 season, there was no doubt changes would be made.

On Monday, the team announced that special teams coordinator Danny Crossman will not return. There was no official word on his departure, but reportedly he asked out of his contract so he could coach with his friend Doug Marrone at Buffalo.

The Lions also hired two assistants and moved two others.

Curtis Modkins will coach the running backs. Modkins was let go from the Buffalo Bills at the end of the season along with the rest of the coaching staff. For the past three seasons in Buffalo he was offensive coordinator/running backs coach although Chan Gailey called the plays.

Modkins was instrumental in developing Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller. The Bills averaged 4.7 yards per attempt over those three seasons, the fourth best rushing average in the NFL.

Bobby Johnson has been named the tight ends coach. He most recently held the same position with the Jacksonville Jaquars. In 2010-2011 he was the assistant offensive line coach for the Bills.

This will be Johnson’s fourth NFL season after spending 15 seasons at the collegiate ranks.

Tim Lappano, who has been the Lions tight ends coach for the past four seasons, will now coach the wide receivers. This will be his 31st season as a coach and his eighth in the NFL.

Jeremiah Washburn, who was a Lions’ assistant offensive line coach for the past four seasons, was promoted to offensive line coach.

Shortly after the 4-12 season the Lions did not renew the contracts of Sam Gash, running backs coach; Shawn Jefferson, wide receivers coach; and offensive line coach George Yarno.

About Me

Paula Pasche, a veteran sports writer, covers the Lions for The Oakland Press. She has written a book, "100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die" which is available at bookstores and on Amazon.com. She won first place for column writing from the Society of Professional Journalists in Detroit (Class B) in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and was The Oakland Press 2010 Staffer of the Year.